Casting rod

ABSTRACT

A fishing pole and casting mechanism adapted to throw a lure, bait, float or sinker with the fishing line attached thereto and comprising a spring gun incorporated in the handle of the pole which mounts a conventional casting reel; the invention being characterized by the extension of the conventional fishing rod in alignment with the casting reel and by the provision of selectively adjustable cocking means that tensions the spring gun for the desired distance of casting and which is predetermined according to the weight being cast.

United States Patent Sherman [is] 3,656,252 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 1 CASTING ROD [72] Inventor: Samuel S. Sherman, 2893 Knox Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55408 [22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 66,213

[52] US. Cl ..43/19, 124/21, 124/27 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lk 91/02 [58] Field of Search ..43/19; 124/21, 27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,124,726 1/1915 Gray ..124/27 2,089,744 8/1937 Golden... .....43/l9 2,217,820 10/1940 Rowe ..43/19 3,001,316 9/1961 Fefelov ..43/19 Primary Examiner-Samuel Koren Assistant Examiner-Daniel J. Leach Attorney-William H. Maxwell [5 7] ABSTRACT V A fishing pole and casting mechanism adapted to throw a lure,

bait, float or sinker with the fishing line attached thereto and comprising a spring gun incorporated in the handle of the pole which mounts a conventional casting reel; the invention being characterized by the extension of the conventional fishing rod in alignment with the casting reel and by the provision of selectively adjustable cocking means that tensions the spring gun for the desired distance of casting and which is predetermined according to the weight being cast.

25 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR18 1912 sum 2 OF 2 Fir-G. 9.

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SAMUEL S. *SVERMAN CASTINGROD other nearby persons. In any case, the novice will experience difficulty in the exercise of executing the casting process due to lack of ability; and the experienced fisherman will be deterred by the prohibitions against usually accepted casting methods. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a casting rod, that enables the novice toexecute an unobjectionable casting process with predetermined accuracy, that enables the experienced fisherman to perform despite the prohibitions of usual casting methods, and that is safe in its mode of operation; and all to the end that casting of lures, bait, floats and/or sinkers can be executed safely and with predetermined accuracy.

iAnobject of this invention is to provide a spring gun in combination with a fishing rod or pole, and which is convenient to handle and not encumbered so as to interfere with the normal processes of landing a catch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring gun for incorporation in a fishing rod or pole and which is adjustably cocked or tensioned to launch the lure, bait, float and/or sinker with a predetermined impetus. With the present invention, means is provided to draw the spring gun per se to a selected calibrated position where it is anchored for subsequentrelease.

j It is another object of this invention to provide a spring gun wherein the launching means is captured and released by a manually-triggered anchor of unique construction that is advantageously combined with the aforementioned means drawing the spring gun to selected calibrated positions. With the present invention, a manually-rotated cam is held between spaced sears which releasably capture a head on the movable piston of the launching means.

It is still another object of this invention to provide improved means to cock or tension the spring gun per se, and to this end the invention provides a self-returning transport means having mechanical advantage for manual operation in cocking and/or tensioning said spring gun. With the present invention, it is the transport means which is operated manually to selectively position said spring gun and from which position it is subsequently released to launch or throw the lure, bait, float and/or sinker.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a fishing pole of the character thus far referred to that is light weight, durable, and practical in every respect; and especially useful as a casting rod by the novice and as well by the experienced fisherman; and a combination weight launcher and fishing rod which is utilitarian in both capacities while employing conventional fishing gear including the various types of casting reels and various lures, baits, floats and/or sinkers, etc.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. Us a perspective view illustrating the complete casting rod as it would appear when in use, with the weight to be cast in place, with the launcher extended and with thetransport means extended to engage the launcher prior to tensioning of the spring gun incorporated therein. F IG. 2 is an enlarged sec tional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the operation of the transport means to retract the spring gun and/or launcher. FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated'by line 4-4 on FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on FIG. 4. FIG. 6is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6--6 on FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated byline 77 on FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 8--8 on FIG. 7. FIGS. 9 and l0 are detailed sectional views taken as indicatedby lines 9-9 and 10-10 onFIG. 7.

Casting devices have been proposed and used to some-extent butnone have been too successful for various reasons and among which is the fact that they have been cumbersome, complex and either inefi'ective .or dangerously powerful. In most instances, for example, the tensioningmeans is directly biased and dependent upon the muscularability of the person operating the device, and as a result, unusual positions of the fishing pole mustbe resorted to and a safe latched position of the launcher is not always assured. Furthermore, adjustability to calibrated tensioning has not been provided for over the entire range of capability; and it is these deficiencies which are corrected in the casting rod hereinafter disclosed and which includes, generally, a body Bhaving a launcher section L with a rod mounting P, and mounting R, a handle grip G, and a transport means T. The body B is characteristically a straight and rigid columnar structure which carries the other aforementioned elements of the device and which are cooperatively combined therein for practical convenience and safe operation. The launcher section L is tubular and extends a substantial distance forward of the reel mounting R, and the said rod mounting P is offset on a parallel axis at the terminal end of the said body B. The transport means T is incorporated in the body B between the reel mounting R and handle grip G and is characteristically an adjustable and releasable force-multiplying meanswhich enables a person to cock and/or tension the device with facility. Accordingly, the casting rod includes a spring gun X, a releasable anchor Y therefor, and a casting reel Z; and all of which are cooperatively combined by means of the body B, its launcher section L and mountings P and R, and unique transport means T.

The body B and parts and elements associated therewith are of light-weight construction, utilizing a thin walled metallic extrusion of aluminum and castings of such light-weight metals and/or plastics, all as circumstances require. In practice, the body B is a cylindrical tubing of extruded aluminum and of substantial length, with the launcher section L open at its forward end'for the reception of the spring gun X, and with its rearmost reel mounting R exposed to present a saddle 10 adapted to receive the base 11 of the reel Z. In accordance with conventional practice, the saddle 10 is comprised of a fixed band 12 and a movable band 13,. with a nut 14 threaded onto the butt end of the body B to force the band 13 over one end of the base 11 fitted with its other end beneath the band 12. The bands and base have tapered engagement so as to wedge the base of the reel tightly upon the saddle. The transport means T is incorporated in the body B intermediate the reel mounting R and handle grip G as hereinafter described, and the said handle grip is a continuation of the body and which forms the butt of the fishing pole. For example, the handle grip G can be a cork grip and with the terminal butt end of the pole covered by a cap 15.

The casting reel Z can vary as circumstances require and in any case isdisposed to one side of and laterally of the axis of the body B. It is preferred that a so-called spinning reel be employed, in which case the spool 16 storing the fishing line 17 is disposed on an axis spaced from and substantially parallel (or somewhat convergent) to the axis of body B. As shown, a strut 18 projects from the base 11 and carries a gear box 19 from which an operating crank 20 projects on a normal axis. The reel Z includes numerous features that provide for freely dispensing the line 17 from the spool 16 and for rewinding the line thereon; and all of whichfeatures are found in the various reels which are satisfactory for casting purposes and which form no part of the present invention. However, it is significant that the reel 2 discharges the fishing line 17 on a forwardly-disposed axis spacedlaterally to the side of the axis of body B.

The rod mounting P is carried on the forward end of the launcher section L and is mounted-upon the body l3 surrounding the open forward'end thereof. In accordance with the invention, the mounting P is adapted to fix the baseend 21 of a rod 22 to the foremost end of the body B so as to project therefrom on an axis aligned with the axis of the reel spool 16. To this end, the mounting P comprises a bracket 23 extending laterally to one side of the body B and having a clamp 24 that captures the end 21 against a seat 25. The bracket 23 is shown fixed to the open end of body B by diametrically-opposite fasteners; however, it is contemplated that the bracket also carrying the spring gun X be removable, in which case the tubular body B has forwardly opening J slots to receive internal lugs on the bracket for releasable bayonet interconnection (not shown). The seat 25 is V shaped and is opposed symmetrically by the clamp 24 engaged thereagainst by a thumb screw 26. The rod 22 is a flexible tapered element with spaced line guides 27 through which the line 17 is extended. The guides are thereby substantially aligned with the axis of the spool 16, and thereby positioned so as to efficiently feed the line 17 in the direction of the rod 22.

The spring gun X is independently operative under control of the releasable anchor Y that is positioned by the transport means T, these elements being the functioning parts of the casting rod. The independency of the spring gun operation is significant in that upon its release there is virtually no restriction against its effort to draw the lure, bait, float and/or sinker that is attached to the line 17 beyond the endmost guide 27. In accordance with the invention, the spring gun X involves a shaft 30 carrying a launcher 31 at its forward outermost end, a piston 32 at its rear innermost end, a bearing 33 through which the shaft 30 is freely slidable and spring means 34 yieldingly urging the shaft to a forwardmost position relative to the bearing 33. The shaft 30 is straight and coaxially slidable into the body B with the piston 32 slidably guided by the inner diameter wall of the body. The launcher 31 can vary in form and is preferably a deep cup with its bottom affixed to the terminal end of the shaft 30, said cup being flared and with a rounded lip 35, and the cup opening forwardly to supportably receive the lure, bait, float and/or sinker.

The spring means 34 is preferably an elastic means which extends between the piston 32 and bearing 33 and comprised of a band 36 of elastomeric material of tubular cross section warped through diametrically-opposite openings through the piston and around a central bridge 37 therebetween, the op posite ends of the band 36 being anchored in the bearing 33 by means of plugs 38 swaging the end portions of the band into fixed engagement in diametrically-opposite openings through the said bearing. The band 36 is made of Neoprene and served with a silicone grease and is housed within the launcher section L of the body B. The two legs of the band 36 (as shown) are parallel and act in the capacity of a bumper against forward momentum of the piston 32, the bumper action being supplemented by like resilient elastomeric members 39 that project into the body B to intercept the piston and to arrest its forward motion.

The releasable anchor Y is provided to couple with the piston 32 and to be selectively positioned by the transport means T, and involves a catch 40 on the piston 32, a positionable head 41 and return means 42 therefor, a latch 43 carried by the head and releasably engageable with said catch, and manually-operable release means 44 for the latch. The catch 40 and latch 43 are complementary and releasably couple the positionable head 41 to the piston 32 so that the launching elements are retractable to a selected position. In practice, the launching section L of the body is of substantial length and has a longitudinal slot 45 for the projection therethrough of a lever 46 adapted to be manually operated for the release of the catch 40 from the latch 43. It will be observed that the distance of retraction is great insofar as stretching of the band 36 is concerned, and to the end that considerable potential energy can be stored in the rearwardly-stretched band. It will also be observed that the amount of energy stored is infinitely variable between two extremes, and accordingly, the length of the slot 45 is incrementally calibrated with a scale 50 indicating values by which the person can predetermine distances of trajectory. It is to be understood that lures, baits, floats and/or,

sinkers vary widely in weight, and consequently, the scale is applied with compensations dependent upon said weight variations of the objects to be launched.

In accordance with the invention, the return means 42 suffi- V ciently biases the head 41 to move it forwardly to the front end of slot 45 and is compressible so as to permit movement of the head 41 to the rear end of the slot 45, with minimum effort, and to this end is in the form of a coil spring of light gage wire, seated at the rear end of body B and extensible to the forward end of slot 45. The head 41 is free to slide in the tubular body and carries with it the latch 43 and operating lever 46 therefor which projects through the slot 45. It is the fore and aft position of the lever 46 which can be related to the scale 50 for positioning the head when the piston 32 is coupled thereto.

Referring now the latch 43, the manually-operable release means 44 is unique in its cam-lever and double-sear construction, wherein the sears are a pair of diametrically-opposed jaws 51 carried by inwardly-biased spring arms 52 anchored in and projecting forwardly from the head 41, and wherein the cam 52 is a two-faced block from which the lever 46 projects laterally through the slot 45 and which spreads the arms 52 when rotated. The catch 40 is a bullet or dart-shaped rearward projection of the piston 32 having a forwardly-faced shoulder 55 over which the jaws 51 are engageable, the catch having a tapered nose that spreads the jaws for entry therebetween and automatic coupling therewith. Only upon rotation of the cam 53 by turning of the lever 46 can the piston 32 be uncoupled from the mated head 41.

The transport means T characterizes the invention and is the means by which the head 41 and coupled piston 32 are held positioned. The means T is a force-multiplying means because of the substantial potential energy that is capable of being stored in the stretched band 36. In its preferred form the means T is a miniaturized winch having a releasable ratchet positioner and which is connected to the head 41 by a lanyard 61. As shown, the winch comprises a drum 62 journaled on a transverse axis within a closed housing 63. The drum hub 64 carries the lanyard 61 which projects through the open forward end of the housing and into the body B where its forward end is joined to the head 41. The drum 62 is geared to a pinion 65 on a countershaft 66 driven by a manually-operable crank 67 through an automatically-releasing clutch 68. In practice, the crank 67 is journaled concentrically with the shaft 66 and is shiftable axially against a spring to engage therewith by means of a jaw clutch 69, said clutch engagement being held manually when cranking effort is applied. The releasable ratchet positioner 60 involves a spring-biased sear that is pivoted in the housing and urged by spring means into retaining engagement with the gear on drum 62, there being a release arm projecting through the housing for manual release and freedom of the drum 62. In carrying out the invention, the housing is comprised of two half-shell sections joined at a plane coincidental with the bearing axes of the drum 62, pinion 65 and ratchet positioner 60; the housing assembly rotatably capturing the shafts of these three revolvable parts, as shown.

From the foregoing it will be understood that a strong and effective casting rod is provided for throwing weights of the type under consideration, and that the spring gun is free to operate independently when released and is therefore uniformly operative and most effective. In order to operate the casting rod herein disclosed, the release arm 70 is operated so that the spring of the return means 42 returns the head 41 to a forwardmost position where it couples to the piston 32 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The transport means T is then operated by pressing the crank 67 axially inward so as to engage the clutch 69 and revolving the same to retract the piston 32 to which the shaft 30 and launcher 31 are attached (see FIG. 3). The lure, bait, float and/or sinker are then loaded into the forwardlydisposed cup (as indicated in FIG. 1). The scale 50 is observed as related to the position of the lever 46 thereto, and by direction or from experience the person will know how far a certain weight will be thrown. When it is desired to cast the weight, it is then a simple matter to actuate the lever 46 whereupon the band 36 releases its potential energy and catapults the lure, bait, float and/or sinker through atrajectory dependent upon the direction in which the body B is aimed. The line 17 then draws from the spool 16, the reel R having been suitably prepared for casting. Subsequently, when a catch is made the reel R is conditioned for drawing the line 17 onto the spool 16 and the rod 22 is employed in the conventional manner without being impaired in any way by the launcher incorporated in the body B.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted tothe specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A casting rod adapted to throw a weight and line attached thereto and including, a body having an elongated launcher section with a rod mounting at its foremost end and with a handle grip at its rearrnost end and with a reel mounting next adjacent to the handle grip, a rod fixed to the rod mounting and projecting forwardly from the body, a line-deploying reel fixed to the reel mounting and depending laterally from the body, a spring gun carried by the foremost end portion of the body-launcher section and having a retractile piston biased forwardly by spring means and having a shaft projecting forwardly therefrom and slidable through a bearing at said foremost end of the body-launcher section and with a forwardly-opening weight-receiving launcher carried at the forward end of said shaft, a positionable anchor movable longitudinally of the body-launcher section and having a releasable coupling means disengageable from the said spring gun piston and having a return means moving the anchor forwardly into coupled engagement with said piston, and transport means having a lanyard extending rearwardly from said anchor and having a means drawing the lanyard and said anchor and spring gun piston coupled thereto rearwardly to a selected position and having a releasable means holding the selected position for subsequent operation of the said releasable coupling means to throw the said weight and attached line.

2. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the said rod mounting affixes the rod on an axis spaced laterally of and parallel to the body axis.

3. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the said reel has a spool disposed on a forwardly-extending axis, and the said rod mounting affixes the rod on an axis spaced laterally of the said body and substantially coincidental with the forwardly'extending axis of said spool.

4. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular and closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, and wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the bodylauncher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section.

5. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with an elongated slot extending substantially coextensive therewith and closed at its foremost end by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section, and wherein the said positionable anchor is slideably carried in the bodylauncher section with a manually-engageable release of the coupling means projecting through the slot.

6. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with an elongated and longitudinally-calibrated slot extending substantially coextensive therewith and the foremost end of said section closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section, and wherein the said positionable anchor is slidably carried in the body-launcher section with a visibly-projecting manually-engageable release for the coupling means extending through the slot for comparative positioning relative to said calibrations.

7. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with its foremost end closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section, and wherein the transport means lanyard extends within the tubular bodylauncher section connecting the said anchor to said means drawing said anchor rearwardly.

8. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said reel has a spool disposed on a forwardly extending axis, and the said rod mounting afi'rxes the rod on an axis spaced laterally of the said body and substantially coincidental with the axis of said spool, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with an elongated and longitudinally calibrated slot extending substantially coextensive therewith and the foremost end of said section closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slidably carried in the body-launcher section, wherein the said positionable anchor is slidably carried in the body-launcher section with a visibly-projecting manually-engageable release for the coupling means extending through the slot for comparative positioning relative to said calibrations, and wherein the transport means lanyard extends within the tubular body-launcher section connecting the said anchor to said means drawing said] anchor rearwardly.

9. A casting rod adapted to throw a weight and line attached thereto and including, a body having an elongated tubular launcher section with a rod mounting at its foremost end and with a handle grip at its rearmost end and with a reel mounting next adjacent to the handle grip, a rod fixed to the rod mounting and projecting forwardly from the body, a line-deploying reel fixed to the reel mounting and depending laterally from the body, a spring gun carried in the foremost end portion of the body-launcher section and having a retractile piston biased forwardly by spring means and slidable in the tubular launcher section and having a shaft projecting forwardly therefrom and slidable through a bearing closing the foremost end of the body-launcher section and with a forwardly-opening weight-receiving launcher carried at the forward end of said shaft, a positionable anchor slidably movable in the tubular launcher section and having a releasable coupling means disengageable from the said spring gun piston and having a return means moving the anchor forwardly into coupled engagement with the said piston, and transport means having a lanyard extending rearwardly from said anchor and through said tubular launcher section and having a means drawing the lanyard and said anchor and spring gun piston coupled thereto rearwardly to a selected position and having a releasable means holding the selected position for subsequent operation of the said releasable coupling means to throw the said weight and attached line.

10. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9 and wherein the piston of said spring gun is biased forwardly by an elastic member stretched between said piston and the bearing at the foremost end of the body-launcher section.

11. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9 and wherein the piston of said spring gun is biased forwardly by a pair of elastic members stretched between said piston and the hearing at the foremost end of the body-launcher section.

12. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9 and wherein the piston of said spring gun is biased forwardly and its forward motion arrested by an elastic member stretched between said piston and bearing and within the confines of the tubular launcher section to be pressed by the arrestment thereby of said forward motion.

13. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the piston of the said spring gun is biased forwardly by an elastic member stretched between said piston and the bearing, and

wherein forward motion of the piston is arrested by elastic members carried by and disposed between the said bearing and approaching piston.

14. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, and wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch disengageable from said catch.

15. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a shouldered catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, and wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch comprised of separable jaws disengageable over the catch shoulder.

16. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a shouldered catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, and wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch comprised of a pair of inwardly-biased spring arms carrying separable jaws respectively and each disengageable over the catch shoulder.

17. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a shouldered catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch comprised of a pair of inwardly-biased spring arms carrying separable jaws respectively, and wherein a manually-operable cam has opposite faces normally flat with said arms and revolvable to lift and disengage the jaws from said catch shoulder.

18. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the return means moving the anchor forwardly comprises a coiled compression spring surrounding the lanyard.

19. A casting rod adapted to throw a weight and line attached thereto and including, a body having an elongated tubular launcher section with a rod mounting at its foremost end and with a handle grip at its rearmost end and with a reel mounting next adjacent to the handle grip, a rod fixed to the rod mounting and projecting forwardly from the body, a linedeploying reel fixed to the reel mounting and depending laterally from the body, a spring gun carried in the foremost end portion of the body-launcher section and having a retractile piston biased forwardly by spring means and slideable in the tubular launcher section and having a shaft projecting forwardly therefrom and slidable through a bearing closing the foremost end of the body-launcher section and with a forwardly-opening weight-receiving launcher carried at the forward end of said shaft, a positionable anchor slidably movable in the tubular launcher section and having a releasable coupling means disengageable from the said spring gun piston and having a return means moving the anchor forwardly into coupled engagement with the said piston, and transport means comprising a lanyard extending rearwardly from said anchor and winding onto a drum and having a release means locking the drum against rotation for subsequent operation of the said releasable coupling means to throw the said weight and attached line.

20. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by a manuallyoperable gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly.

21. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an automatically-releasable clutch manually-engageable and operable through gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly.

22. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an axially-shiftable crank with spring means holding clutch elements separated and manipulatable into clutched engagement and to be turned to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly.

23. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by a manually-operable gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly, and wherein the release means locking the drum is a sear biased into stopping engagement w1th the gear teeth and releasable therefrom to free the drum.

24. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an automatically-releasable clutch manually-engageable and operable through gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly, and wherein the release means locking the drum is a scar biased into stopping engagement with the gear teeth and releasable therefrom to free the drum.

25. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an axiallyshiftable crank with spring means holding clutch elements separated and manipulatable into clutched engagement and to be turned to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly, and wherein the release means locking the drum is a sear biased into stopping engagement with the gear teeth and releasable therefrom to free the drum. 

1. A casting rod adapted to throw a weight and line attached thereto and including, a body having an elongated launcher section with a rod mounting at its foremost end and with a handle grip at its rearmost end and with a reel mounting next adjacent to the handle grip, a rod fixed to the rod mounting and projecting forwardly from the body, a line-deploying reel fixed to the reel mounting and depending laterally from the body, a spring gun carried by the foremost end portion of the bodylauncher section and having a retractile piston biased forwardly by spring means and having a shaft projecting forwardly therefrom and slidable through a bearing at said foremost end of the bodyLauncher section and with a forwardly-opening weight-receiving launcher carried at the forward end of said shaft, a positionable anchor movable longitudinally of the body-launcher section and having a releasable coupling means disengageable from the said spring gun piston and having a return means moving the anchor forwardly into coupled engagement with said piston, and transport means having a lanyard extending rearwardly from said anchor and having a means drawing the lanyard and said anchor and spring gun piston coupled thereto rearwardly to a selected position and having a releasable means holding the selected position for subsequent operation of the said releasable coupling means to throw the said weight and attached line.
 2. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the said rod mounting affixes the rod on an axis spaced laterally of and parallel to the body axis.
 3. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the said reel has a spool disposed on a forwardly-extending axis, and the said rod mounting affixes the rod on an axis spaced laterally of the said body and substantially coincidental with the forwardly-extending axis of said spool.
 4. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular and closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, and wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section.
 5. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with an elongated slot extending substantially coextensive therewith and closed at its foremost end by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section, and wherein the said positionable anchor is slideably carried in the body-launcher section with a manually-engageable release of the coupling means projecting through the slot.
 6. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with an elongated and longitudinally-calibrated slot extending substantially coextensive therewith and the foremost end of said section closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section, and wherein the said positionable anchor is slidably carried in the body-launcher section with a visibly-projecting manually-engageable release for the coupling means extending through the slot for comparative positioning relative to said calibrations.
 7. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with its foremost end closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slideably carried in the body-launcher section, and wherein the transport means lanyard extends within the tubular body-launcher section connecting the said anchor to said means drawing said anchor rearwardly.
 8. The casting rod as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said reel has a spool disposed on a forwardly extending axis, and the said rod mounting affixes the rod on an axis spaced laterally of the said body and substantially coincidental with the axis of said spool, wherein the said elongated launcher section is tubular with an elongated and longitudinally calibrated slot extending substantially coextensive therewith and the foremost end of said section closed by said spring gun bearing reciprocably carrying the spring gun shaft, wherein the spring gun shaft reciprocably enters the body-launcher section with the spring gun piston slidably carried in the body-launcher section, whereIn the said positionable anchor is slidably carried in the body-launcher section with a visibly-projecting manually-engageable release for the coupling means extending through the slot for comparative positioning relative to said calibrations, and wherein the transport means lanyard extends within the tubular body-launcher section connecting the said anchor to said means drawing said anchor rearwardly.
 9. A casting rod adapted to throw a weight and line attached thereto and including, a body having an elongated tubular launcher section with a rod mounting at its foremost end and with a handle grip at its rearmost end and with a reel mounting next adjacent to the handle grip, a rod fixed to the rod mounting and projecting forwardly from the body, a line-deploying reel fixed to the reel mounting and depending laterally from the body, a spring gun carried in the foremost end portion of the body-launcher section and having a retractile piston biased forwardly by spring means and slidable in the tubular launcher section and having a shaft projecting forwardly therefrom and slidable through a bearing closing the foremost end of the body-launcher section and with a forwardly-opening weight-receiving launcher carried at the forward end of said shaft, a positionable anchor slidably movable in the tubular launcher section and having a releasable coupling means disengageable from the said spring gun piston and having a return means moving the anchor forwardly into coupled engagement with the said piston, and transport means having a lanyard extending rearwardly from said anchor and through said tubular launcher section and having a means drawing the lanyard and said anchor and spring gun piston coupled thereto rearwardly to a selected position and having a releasable means holding the selected position for subsequent operation of the said releasable coupling means to throw the said weight and attached line.
 10. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9 and wherein the piston of said spring gun is biased forwardly by an elastic member stretched between said piston and the bearing at the foremost end of the body-launcher section.
 11. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9 and wherein the piston of said spring gun is biased forwardly by a pair of elastic members stretched between said piston and the bearing at the foremost end of the body-launcher section.
 12. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9 and wherein the piston of said spring gun is biased forwardly and its forward motion arrested by an elastic member stretched between said piston and bearing and within the confines of the tubular launcher section to be pressed by the arrestment thereby of said forward motion.
 13. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the piston of the said spring gun is biased forwardly by an elastic member stretched between said piston and the bearing, and wherein forward motion of the piston is arrested by elastic members carried by and disposed between the said bearing and approaching piston.
 14. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, and wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch disengageable from said catch.
 15. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a shouldered catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, and wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch comprised of separable jaws disengageable over the catch shoulder.
 16. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a shouldered catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, and wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch comprised of a pair of inwardly-biased spring arms carrying separable jaws respectively and each disengageable over the catch shoulder.
 17. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the spring gun piston has a shouldered catch projecting rearwardly therefrom, wherein the releasable coupling means of the positionable anchor has a latch comprised of a pair of inwardly-biased spring arms carrying separable jaws respectively, and wherein a manually-operable cam has opposite faces normally flat with said arms and revolvable to lift and disengage the jaws from said catch shoulder.
 18. The casting rod as set forth in claim 9, wherein the return means moving the anchor forwardly comprises a coiled compression spring surrounding the lanyard.
 19. A casting rod adapted to throw a weight and line attached thereto and including, a body having an elongated tubular launcher section with a rod mounting at its foremost end and with a handle grip at its rearmost end and with a reel mounting next adjacent to the handle grip, a rod fixed to the rod mounting and projecting forwardly from the body, a line-deploying reel fixed to the reel mounting and depending laterally from the body, a spring gun carried in the foremost end portion of the body-launcher section and having a retractile piston biased forwardly by spring means and slideable in the tubular launcher section and having a shaft projecting forwardly therefrom and slidable through a bearing closing the foremost end of the body-launcher section and with a forwardly-opening weight-receiving launcher carried at the forward end of said shaft, a positionable anchor slidably movable in the tubular launcher section and having a releasable coupling means disengageable from the said spring gun piston and having a return means moving the anchor forwardly into coupled engagement with the said piston, and transport means comprising a lanyard extending rearwardly from said anchor and winding onto a drum and having a release means locking the drum against rotation for subsequent operation of the said releasable coupling means to throw the said weight and attached line.
 20. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by a manually-operable gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly.
 21. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an automatically-releasable clutch manually-engageable and operable through gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly.
 22. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19 and wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an axially-shiftable crank with spring means holding clutch elements separated and manipulatable into clutched engagement and to be turned to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly.
 23. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by a manually-operable gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly, and wherein the release means locking the drum is a sear biased into stopping engagement with the gear teeth and releasable therefrom to free the drum.
 24. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an automatically-releasable clutch manually-engageable and operable through gearing to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly, and wherein the release means locking the drum is a sear biased into stopping engagement with the gear teeth and releasable therefrom to free the drum.
 25. The casting rod as set forth in claim 19, wherein the said drum of the transport means is driven by means of an axially-shiftable crank with spring means holding clutch elements separated and manipulatable into clutched engagement and to be turned to revolve the drum and thereby draw the spring gun anchor and coupled piston rearwardly, and wherein the release means locking the drum is a sear biased into stopping engagement with the gear teeth and releasable therefrom to free the drUm. 